Drawing in the Gardens: A Plein Air Experience

Develop your drawing skills and learn innovative ways to engage with a garden through drawing. Perfect workshop for all skill levels seeking to connect art with nature in a historic setting under expert guidance.

Immerse yourself in the charming ambiance of the Spadina Museum’s gardens and apple orchards during a one-day drawing workshop. Guided by artist and educator Rose Montgomery-Whicher, this workshop offers a unique opportunity to enhance your artistic skills. In this four hour session, you'll engage in "en plein air" drawing within the serene and spacious gardens of the Spadina Museum. Students will have the opportunity to learn two ways to combine colour with an ink drawing and experiment with different vantage points and innovative approaches to drawing a garden, while enjoying the tranquil setting. The workshop is open to both beginners and experienced artists, combining guidance with creative freedom.

Please note: A designated lunch or snack break will give you time to recharge and reflect. Please bring your own food and beverages, as there is a picnic area but no food for sale, except possibly small snacks and ice cream bars.

Schedule
11:00 AM: Arrival and Introduction
11:15 AM: Tour of the Gardens, Drawing Warm-Ups from different Vantage Points
11:40 AM: First Drawing Session, with Instruction
12:40 PM: Lunch/Snack Break (Please bring your own refreshments)
1:10 PM: Second Drawing Session, for Independent Work with Individual Feedback
2:40 PM: Group Discussion and Reflection
3:00 PM: Workshop Concludes (and the gardens remain open until 5:00 pm)

Mastering Plein Air Drawing: Gain practical experience in outdoor drawing, adapting to changing natural elements while depicting nature.
Exploring Vantage Points: Hone your skills in composing scenes from different perspectives, enhancing your artistic interpretation of the environment.
Experimenting with Media: Explore the unique effects of dry and wet drawing materials, learning how to layer colour over and under a drawing in ink.
Connecting Art and Nature: Deepen your appreciation for nature by seeing it as an artist, discover innovative ways to show your experience of nature in drawings.

A sketchbook that is easy to hold either standing or seated with mixed media paper that is a substantial weight, ‘90 lbs’ or more. Strathmore makes a series of spiral-bound sketchbooks that are ideal for working outdoors: called ‘Visual Journal’ they come in a variety of sizes and papers. Either a 5 x 8” or 9 x 12” size would be suitable, with ‘Mixed Media’ paper as it is the most versatile.
a pencil (2B or HB), eraser and sharpener,
a fine black pen with permanent ink (such as Sakura Micron Pigma marker .05 or .03)
Water-soluble coloured materials: either a small (10 or12) set of watercolour pencils or Caran D’Ache ‘Neocolour2’ or Staedtler watercolour crayons (both look like crayons but are artist-quality) or Mungyo watercolour crayons or Mungyo Acquarelle oil pastels.
A ‘water-brush’ is handy for working outdoors, OR a brush with a container for water.
Paper towels or rags.
Although we will focus on drawing rather than painting, you are welcome to bring watercolour or guache paints if you are already familiar with their use.
Things to help you draw in comfort! A way to carry drawing materials that keeps them accessible, especially if you want to stand and draw; a cushion, towel or portable stool/chair to sit on, as there are few benches; a hat and a water bottle.